Madam, – On August 6th my daughter phoned Wicklow Co Council to inquire about the closing date for application for a postal vote for the Lisbon Referendum on October 2nd. Her work as a freelance interpreter often takes her to other European countries and she had previously secured a postal vote for the referendum in June 2008. This week she was told that as soon as the Minister had signed this current legislation in mid-July – 11 weeks before polling – applications had to be received within 48 hours.
Her previous application did not “roll over” and she will have to re-apply in future as the need arises.
Surely two days’ notice in mid-July is insufficient time for anyone to apply for a postal vote, especially as a large number of Irish people must have been on holiday at the time? And is it not ironic that those most likely to support the Lisbon Treaty are precisely the people who might be regular travellers abroad? Is this Government serious about securing a Yes vote? – Yours, etc,